Wednesday, January 30, 2008

This is how I found Andrew this morning. He was so cute, I almost didn't want to wake him up.But then he didn't mind waking me up several times and I'm sure I looked equally as cute while I was sleeping. :)

Sunday, January 27, 2008

I ran out of the bathroom yesterday to answer the phone. When I went back into the bathroom to make sure he wasn't playing his new favorite game, spin the toilet paper off the roll, this is how I found him!! I just stood there with my mouth hanging open trying to process what I was seeing. He was smiling and clapping for himself.

(disclaimer: this is a re-enactment due to Mommy not having her camera and having to answer the door at the time of the actual event.)

Saturday, January 26, 2008

I love Jan Brett's books. Her version of Noah's Ark was the inspiration for Andrew's room. If you've read any of her books, you know who Hedgie the Hedgehog is. (If you haven't read them, you should!) In my classroom, we love Jan Brett's books and we LOVE Hedgie. So far, it seems like Andrew feels the same way. Here he is with his "Hedgie" bean bag chair.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Tara sent Andrew an adorable outfit from Gymboree for his 1st birthday. Pat and Will gave him this awesome red, rubber ball that he LOVES. He rolls it away from him and then chases it all over the place. He might start walking just to get to it faster!

Friday, January 18, 2008

One year ago today, I got the phone call I had been dreaming of (literally). At 11:10, my classroom phone rang--it was my social worker. She said, "Ruthanne, this is the phone call." I immediately started crying and she hadn't even given me any information yet. After I hung up the phone, I just stood there for a second crying and shaking (I'm SO not a public crier). I told all the adults in my room and we were all laughing, smiling, crying. I turned the classroom over to the other adults and left to go call my mom. I could hardly even tell her because I was crying so much. Then she was crying. My social worker emailed me pictures and I got to see my beautiful baby's face for the very first time.

Four days old---Isn't he beautiful???

I ran around the school telling all my friends. The rest of the day is a blur. I know I stayed the whole day but I don't remember a single minute of it. It was, without a doubt, one of my favorite days ever.

This is the video I made of all the things I want to show Andrew. It helped me to watch it while I was waiting for him to come home and to think of how our life would be when he got here.

Monday, January 14, 2008

It's been a wonderful week full of birthday excitement. But I think my baby is leaving and there is a toddler trying to take his place. He no longer fits into most of his 9mo clothes and has graduated to the big-boy pj's with the non-skid feet. It's amazing and sad all at the same time. I can't believe he's one! He has changed so much in the past few weeks---it's just astounding.I've been trying to get him to put weight on his legs since he came home. No thanks. Didn't want anything to do with it---until today. He was trying to get up on one foot--"proposal style". I pulled him up to his feet and, as you can see, he couldn't have been happier. Every time I put him down, he reached up to try to pull himself to his feet again. I am in SO much trouble!! :)

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Today was Andrew's birthday. He had a GREAT day! He slept through the night for 12 hours (!!) and woke up happy and ready to celebrate. He had a lot of fun at his party. He let lots of people hold him and gave his best smiles and "scrunchy faces" to many of them.I've posted a slideshow of the pictures from his day--including his party. Some of the pictures deserve a comment, so I've also posted them below the video.The slide show has music, so pause the other music first.

The view from his window this morning:Let's go, Mommy. I want to get the celebration started!A present from Mommy:Figures. It's educational.It's MY birthday and I shouldn't have to nap if I don't want to. You can make me stay in here, but you can't make me lay down.(this is Andrew--asleep, sitting up)mmmmm......sugar.

My baby boy is 1 today. How did that happen?? I swear it was just yesterday when I was praying for his referral and hoping to be a mom. It's amazing how fast the past 3.5 months have gone by since he's been home. I feel so happy and blessed every single day to be mom to this amazing little person. He has grown so much since he's been home---every day he learns something new and I'm astounded by that. He is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me.Happy Birthday, Baby Boy. I love you!!!I've been thinking so much about his First Mom and wondering how she is feeling knowing that her baby is turning one without her. I hope she knows how much he is loved---not just by me, but by everyone who knows him---and that he will be taken care of. I hope that he can meet her someday.It is amazing to me how one woman's pain can become another woman's joy. It is a bittersweet feeling knowing that she had to go through so much heartache in order to make my dreams come true.Andrew is a very blessed little boy---he has had three moms who love him. Usually, I like being first. But in this case, I am happiest being third.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

I had to put him in this position, but then he held on and stayed that way for quite a while.He's not happy about it, but he's standing!

Oh look! The Backyardigans are on!!

I should add that his lip is fine--thank you all for your concern. He bites it on a somewhat regular basis---he has 8 teeth and they sometimes get in the way. :)It looks worse than it actually was and he didn't even notice it.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Ok--actually it's his third haircut. He had one in Guatemala and then a tiny "clean up" when the first haircut started to grow out a little bit. So, this was his first, official, all-out haircut here at home. He was SO good. He sat the whole time and let her use the scissors and clippers. He had a great time driving his taxi while his hair was being cut.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Andrew and I went to see our friend Colleen and her parents, Sue and Bill last night. Kathy and Nicholas were there too. It was a lot of fun. They made a great lasagna dinner and spoiled our boys rotten. Thanks, you guys. We had a GREAT time!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Our friend Wendy, gave Andrew a new toy. It's a Curious George that blows bubbles through his mouth. It's FUN!

Our friends Pat and Will gave him the little squirt toys in the tub. He loves it when I squirt water at him but I can't do that and hold the camera.You get to see him clapping in this video also. That thing at the end where he claps his head is new today. Not sure what that's about. :)

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Guess who stayed up until 12:30?!? I think he wanted to ring in the New Year with Mommy. I put him in his pack-n-play at 8:00, but went up at about 9:00 to find him sleeping sitting up. Too cute. When I walked in, he woke up and there was no going back. He was in a great mood all night: laughing, smiling, dancing when there was music on the TV. He conked out in the car about 2 blocks from my friends' house.

Watching the festivities with Aunt Noreen:

Happy New Year!!!!

On a more serious note, 2007 was an amazing year. I can't believe that it is almost a whole year since Andrew was born and I got that wonderful phone call. I have met the most fantastic group of women through this adoption process and knowing them has been second only to adopting Andrew. They have, and continue to make this journey an easier one by just being available for information and support. Thank you, Summer Sisters!!

My TpT Store

Customized Art Fundraiser

Want a personalized piece of art for your child, your family or a friend? Check these out. I will personalize it to your specifications and then email you the. jpg to print as many times and as many ways as you wish. These looks great printed and framed, printed on a canvas or used to make gifts.
Prices are listed under the pictures. If interested, please email me at:
ruthannefocht at gmail dot com.
All proceeds go toward bringing Manno home to our family!
Thanks,
Ruthanne

Photo Name Prints

Your child's photo with his/her name in three tones of grayscale. $30 for a 16x20 digital image (.jpg) to be printed or used any way you would like.

Superhero brothers

8x10 Superhero/brother print. Your choice of colors. Can also substitute 'sister' for 'brother'. 7.50 as is (printed and shipped) 8.50 with changes to colors. (printed and shipped)

Superhero prints

5x7 superhero bath prints. 7.50--printed and shipped you choose the background color ($12 for the set of two) can be sized to 8x10

Monogram Print

Customized monogram art. You choose colors and monogram/name. $10 for 8x10 digital image (.jpg) to be used as many times as you would like.

Monogram Print

Customized monogram art. You choose colors, monogram/name and country outline. $10 for 8x10 digital image (.jpg) to be used as many times as you would like.

Monogram Print

Customized monogram art. You choose colors and monogram/name. $10 for 8x10 digital image (.jpg) to be used as many times as you would like.